The biggest event of any Lunar New Year's Eve is the reunion dinner every Chinese family will have. This year my brother-in-law, Michael, invited my mum, aunt and I to have reunion dinner with them at a restaurant in Ipoh. Nowadays, many Chinese families do not cook a lavish meal at home but instead they go out and have their reunion dinner. Actually, this saves time and a lot of energy. My mum is no longer young and it would be very tiring for her to cook a big meal for her family. Besides, it would also be very tiring for me to do the washing up later on. I too am no longer young. Kee! Kee! Kee!
My sister, Li Mei, with her son, Benjamin, her hubby, Michael and son, Jeremy.
Li Mei with Auntie Linda
Li Na and Ben
Jeremy and Li Na
My mum and her son-in-law, Michael
Me with my two nephews
Claypot seafood (Hou Mei Pou) consisting of dried scallop, shrimps, sea cucumber, fish slices and mushrooms
Steamed Fish (Pak Sou Kong)
Nestum Prawn, Steamed Fish, Claypot Seafood, Bamboo Shoots with Shrimps
Broccoli wih Pacific Clams
All the dishes for the reunion dinner will have auspicious sounding names. Fish is usually present as it symbolises abundance. Prawn is another favourite as the Chinese word for prawns is "Ha" which sounds like laughter.
For last night's reunion dinner, my brother-in-law ordered 9 dishes including dessert. Chinese dinners usually have 8 or 9 dishes as these two numbers are considered auspicious. Actually, what is most important is the company. The significance of this dinner is for family members (some who may be working or living far away) to get together to renew family ties and to foster closer relationship.
No comments:
Post a Comment